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Countdown to Kickoff: A look at the Gibson Co. Pioneers

By
Adam Wells
By
awells@wbbjtv.com

Story Created:
Jul 29, 2012 at 9:46 PM CDT

Story Updated:
Jul 29, 2012 at 9:46 PM CDT

DYER, Tenn. - In District 13-AA two new coaches will be walking the sidelines. One of those will be Morgan Cruce. Cruce has the task of turning around a Gibson County football program that has lost 30 straight games.

"A lot of hard working guys, dedicated guys," Cruce said. "A lot of guys who want to see the culture of Gibson County change."

That's how Cruce describes his 2012 Pioneer team. A team without a player who has won a game on the high school level.

"They are starting to see now," Cruce said. " Just from the things we were doing this summer. The things were doing as a team. What they are doing is working. That's what they want to see, results."

Numbers have consistently been a problem for the Pioneers. In order to see those results he wants Cruce had to do some recruiting within the school.

"The better athletes need to be multi-sport athletes," Cruce said. "That's what were trying to do. Well work with their schedules and make it a priority to do that."

"We've lost a few players but what we've got here is a strong core of guys that have become a good team," said Cruce.

Right now they have 11 seniors that are ready to get their first win.

"My seniors right now have basically been playing since they were sophomores," Cruce said. "So they have a lot of experience and are hungry."

With a new coach comes a new system. But Cruce isn't about to give hints as to what they may look like this season.

"I'm gonna leave that for the first game in week zero," Cruce said.

What isn't a secret is the overall goal for the Pioneers.

"As long as they realize and the community realizes that results don't mean state championships or 10-0 seasons," Cruce said. "What they mean is winning victories, winning the battles day in and day out."